Epcot World Showcase Bracket Game: France vs. Germany

Flag-Pins-France-Germany

In the beginning, EPCOT was designed by Walt Disney as the “Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow”, a futurist’s dream, what was to be a showcase of ingenuity and innovation. The idea of an entire showcase metropolis to be built in the orange groves of Central Florida passed away along with Walt, but his vision remained, albeit tweaked.

With the Magic Kingdom having been a major success, plans for a followup park were set in motion. Imagineers were conflicted on the park’s unifying theme, however. Some wanted to solely exhibit the showcase of Tomorrow that Walt had pictured, others wanted a World’s Fair-style display of the world’s nations and cultures.

Compromise was reached, the new park was to be split between these two motifs. This bracket contest will be focusing on the latter of the two themes, what is known now as the World Showcase. All eleven of the world showcase pavilions (EPCOT devotees will have noticed I’m not including the Outpost in this challenge, wouldn’t have lasted long anyway) are primed for a showdown that will crown the preeminent pavilion, as decided by you, the readers.

World-Showcase-Map

And so the Epcot World Showcase Bracket Challenge has begun! Of course, given that the showcase has eleven pavilions, we were unable to accommodate ALL pavilions within our bracket challenge, so three needed to catch the early train back to Orlando. These pavilions were, as decided by you the readers: The American Adventure (USA), Italy, and Japan. You identified the US pavilion as redundant, given that, well, you are already in the United States. Personally, I enjoy the lengthy audio-animatronic show and associates museum, but, alas, it wasn’t enough to overcome redundancy.

department of redundancy

Also having been eliminated was Italy. Architectural density and the presence of two full-service restaurants, in addition to some alta moda shopping outlets was not sufficient to keep Italy in the game. Addio, miglior fortuna la prossima volta!

Italy Pavilion
Italy Pavilion

 

Lastly, Japan, the pavilion I have spent the most time in, is now bygone. I love strolling through the Mitsukoshi department store and buying all kinds of unique goods, especially the Ramune sodas. The folk museum is also fascinating. The Katsura grill is the best counter-service option in Epcot I feel. Teppan Edo, while good, is admittedly outmatched by other hibachi competitors outside Epcot’s gates, however it’s still pretty good. Woe, the readers decided this didn’t merit inclusion in our game. So we move on…

Japan Pavilion
Japan Pavilion

 

Our first head-to-head: France and Germany. Maginot Line vs. Fall Rot. Hollande vs. Merkel. Paris vs. Berlin. Zidane vs. Kahn. One of history’s greatest, most natural rivalries (though mostly, and alliance) will see another episode in its rich history play out in the following matchup.

International Chess

The German pavilion at Epcot is designed to resemble an archetypal German town, borrowing elements from Germany’s various states, though mostly Bavaria. It is home to some shops, most charming among them the Christmas shop. Germany houses an elaborate mini railway crisscrossing the countryside. An equally elaborate Glockenspiel chimes hourly. Germany also plays host to Sommerfest, a quick service haus. Also there is a full-service buffet, the Biergarten Restaurant, themed to Oktoberfest. The building that houses it was originally going to shelter a Rhine River-themed boat ride, but this was scrapped.

Germany Pavilion
Germany Pavilion

 

Epcot France, meanwhile is themed after the country’s largest city (my opinion, the world’s greatest), Paris. The Eiffel Tower is visible as you stroll through the narrow, winding pathways dotted with such shops as bakeries, ice cream parlors, perfumery shops, and oenologist havens. France is home to two restaurants, one the full service Les Chefs de France, themed to the Seine-side eateries of the City of Light itself. The second is the ultra-exclusive Monsieur Paul, said to be the finest restaurant in WDW (aside from Victoria and Albert’s, perhaps). Prices reflect this. France’s attraction is the 18-minute Impressions de France, a showcase of what the finest Gallic destinations. Called “the finest show in WDW” by Theme Park Insider, it really is beautiful. It features a magical score containing snippets of Saint-Saens and Debussy, among others. It breezes past French landmarks, but also gives you the human side of France.

France Pavilion
France Pavilion

 

Have fun, may the best of the two pavilions win!

0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

12 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
lebeau
Admin
8 years ago

I took 4 years of French in high school. I’m of German descent. The Germany pavilion has a Snow White Meet and Greet. The France pavilion has Aurora, Belle and the Beast and Marie. The France Pavilion has Boulangerie Patiserie. The German Pavilion has pretzels and beer. I have never eaten at table service in either pavilion. The Germany Pavilion has a cute miniature train. The France Pavlion has Impressions de France. Back in my stand-up days, I knew a comic who did a very funny bit about the Germany Pavilion invading the France Pavilion through the non-existent Poland pavilion.… Read more »

daffystardust
Editor
8 years ago
Reply to  lebeau

Yes, I too voted for France. Its primary advantages are Impressions de France and the new counter service eatery. I’m disappointed that Remy from Ratatouille doesn’t make appearances at les Chefs de France anymore because the one time we saw him it was a real highlight. Les Chefs de France has been hit and miss for me, with just one of the three times I’ve eaten there being really strong. I have to admit that even though I am really looking forward to my Disneyland trip, part of me feels weird about the fact that there is no Epcot there.… Read more »

lebeau
Admin
8 years ago
Reply to  daffystardust

Epcot is the one thing that Disneylanders seem to envy about Orlando. But I’d be surprised if you miss it all that much. So many new things to experience in Anaheim. Also, let’s be real, when’s the last time Epcot changed for the better? Future World is a shambles and World Showcase is largely left in stasis. You may miss the “idea of Epcot” more so than the reality of it. It has been ages since I have spent any serious time in either of these pavilions. Back in ’88 we explored every pavilion thoroughly. I’ll share my story of… Read more »

Carl
Carl
8 years ago
Reply to  daffystardust

Well, look at it this way, you are going to the only Disney Park in the world with a California Adventure! And it is actually good now, not like 5-10 years ago. Also, even though Disneyland park is pretty similar to the Magic Kingdom in Orlando, there is something to be said about going to the place that started it all. Especially for a Disney aficionado By the way Daffy, I’m not sure if you saw my reply to your question about Blue Bayou or not. It took me a day or two to respond so you may have missed… Read more »

daffystardust
Editor
8 years ago
Reply to  Carl

Thanks Carl! I did see your reply. Sorry I didn’t reply myself so you knew. I went ahead and got reservations for my party at Blue Bayou based on your recommendation. Being from the East coast, I’m not likely to get back there many times in my life, so I figured I should do everything that’s iconic. Thanks for your perspective!

I am definitely looking forward to seeing a lot of the unique stuff at DCA. World of Color and Carsland are particularly unique things I will be sure to experience. I’ve also heard the Aladdin show is really good.

lebeau
Admin
8 years ago
Reply to  daffystardust

Just yesterday I read that the Aladdin show was Disney’s best domestic in-park show.

Annie
8 years ago

Voted France but I don’t feel strongly about it. Germany has a certain stench I just can’t take. I’m very sensitive to smells and it takes very little to make me gag (or worse) so I tend to just pass by Germany. Plus I feel living in Zinzinnati I get the Germany pavilion experience plenty here. Between Oktoberfest, Hofbräuhaus and the good ole Madeira Inn I (used to) frequent (http://a4.urbancdn.com/w/s/el/P1VdNfLWp1s03T.jpg — I re-painted the sign a couple years ago, doesn’t it look lovely?? ;)), I get plenty of German experiences comparable to the pavilion. Not everyone’s experience obviously but that’s… Read more »

Inga
7 years ago

My mother lived in Orlando for years and I visited WDW many times and rarely ever visited any park but EPCOT. France and Morocco are my favorites. I love to go in the morning and buy espresso and walk past each garden and watch the tame birds and squirrels. Spouse-man liked to go in the evening and sample a beer at each country we passed.

Bob Baldwin
Bob Baldwin
7 years ago

I’m boycotting the vote because the American Pavilion was nixed. Anyone who misses the Voices of Liberty that regularly perform there daily is seriously missing the boat. And I also agree with you that the animatronic theater show is top notch. Epcot, in spite of it’s many drawbacks, is still my favorite WDW park. I was disappointed that Soarin’ was down and being refurbished when I was there, and I will also say that I was disappointed in the park closing show, Illuminations, Reflections of Earth when I saw it on 4/18/16. The Earth Globe failed to do its LED… Read more »

lebeau
Admin
7 years ago
Reply to  Bob Baldwin

I’m not sure what the current status is on Illuminations. Like Fantasmic! it seems like there is always something that is down, cut or being repaired. I remember not too long ago, the show got some upgrades to the lasers. It’s long overdue for a replacement. But so is a lot of Epcot. Rumor has it there is something in the works, but we probably won’t see it for a long time.

daffystardust
Editor
7 years ago
Reply to  lebeau

One thing I’m hearing is that Disney is trying to get clearance to use drones in the new/updated show and that’s part of why they’ve been building restaurants right on the water. That way the drones wouldn’t have to go over guests’ heads on the way to the lagoon or take off from a barge. The abject failure of Spice Road Table is part of what is holding things up.

lebeau
Admin
7 years ago
Reply to  daffystardust

Interesting. I did see a bit on the drone show thing earlier today, but I didn’t bother looking in to it. My Disney game is off right now. My reduced interest in actually revisiting the resort has meant I haven’t been keeping up like I usually do.

Epcot just needs so much. It’s sad how Disney has mismanaged that park.

12
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x